So they finally took notice....

Martin Scorsese finally won an Oscar! To say that it was unexpected is an understatement. I am a Scorsese fan and when I heard that he’s directing The Departed, the Hollywood adaptation of Infernal Affairs, it was a sweet anticipation. Having seen Scorsese’s previous films like Gangs of New York, Raging Bull, The Taxi, etc., The Departed, although chic and precisely made (with a fabulous casts), somehow lack the “winnability” to win an Oscar. He could have won many years ago with his more intense films. Still, I think Scorsese’s first Oscar is long overdue and the many years of going home empty handed had compounded many times over. It’s a guilt-free victory.

sullen thoughts....

There are varied reasons why people are holding on to us and would not let us go. Sometimes, it is not only that we are good, or nice, or generous, but rather it is more about their dependency, their psychological need that sadly, could never be satiated. Well of course, it’s always easy to let go of someone who does not serve whatever kind of purpose. Since our organization is undergoing some major movement in terms of structure, it follows that people, as part of that organization, should also be a part of that step forward. My boss, whom I regard dearly, would not let me go for the mere reason that she just can’t. I think that it’s not because that we were together for a long time, or I could write (her thoughts), or she needs my thesis to evaluate her program, or that I’m polite or respectful. I always believe that no one is indispensable. Our country has a surplus of talented and intelligent people who could write and speak excellent English, make and analyze intricate plans, and are well-motivated. She plans of putting or continuing the same organization with only the three of us (another officemate). She did not even ask if I’m interested with the prospect. She laid my future, for at least three years, to fit her own needs; meanwhile, suspending my life. I was caught red handed; unable to speak nor to react. She really had her way with people. I felt helpless. It is just so ironic that for someone who advocates for human rights could not let her thoughts be heard and just went blank. My head is throbbing and I think caffeine could not save me this time.

Farm Fairy Days '06

10-7-06

The book launching of lola went well. Few people attended, expectedly. Since the book does not contain anything related to sex, music, or standard novel plot, it’s a very technical read. During the dedication part, she made this really intended stunt, which I expected even before she opened her mouth. “I also thank Sister Lasalette for painstakingly……” Oh yeah, I saw it coming. They were so happy about it saying that those were prophetic words of some sort. Was it really prophetic or apocalyptic? They never gave up recruiting me. I don’t know what they saw in me that made them think I fit the perpetually chaste life.

I was absent from class again. It really worries me since they took integral calculus that spells doom. Dr. Tatlonghari thought that I was absent because I was avoiding my Development Eco report. Even my excuse letter that explicitly says that I am suffering from a bad case of LBM did not suffice. Haha. He became a PhD for nothing.

Still have to refine my report. I have an overdose of Karl Marx, David Ricardo, Schumpeter, and Adam Smith. How I wish they are just members of rock bands; my life could have been easier.

Audioslave have a new album just released, Revelation. I’m not sure if Francis Reyes already featured this on his New Album Review on NU, hopefully not yet. I was able to listen to some of the tracks; politically charged lyrics. Maybe I’m still stuck to Chris Cornells’ Euphoria Morning that it took a while to accept that he is now “raging.”

Integral calculus is so sleep-inducing, huummm. Nyt.

Diary of a Faithful Urbandub Minion

I am a huge Urbandub fan for so long but it was only last week that I saw them played live. When Come from their Birth album was released several years ago, I became and instant Urbandub-convert. So when Rock U was set (sponsored by MISA-Ateneo) and I have no Saturday class the next day, it was such a sweet opportunity.

After three geological ages, my friend and I arrived at the venue. The venue was Dish which was quite good because the audio was perfect. There were several bands lined up for the night—Mojofly, Chicosci, Updharam Down, and of course Urbandub. The show started at 9:30, quite on time from their schedule. Two college bands played (Rugis and Spaceground?) They were good. One of the vocalists sounds like a cross between Audioslave and Pearljam without the angst. The place was full of hormonally-driven college kids. I think the average age of the crowd was 19, hah. What can I say, it served us right. I promised myself to be sober. I want to have this natural high. ChicoSci played first. I could still remember singing “Paris” at the top of my lunges many years ago, ‘Could I be so affected…will I stay on your mind, why am I so infected…” They were still known as ChicoScience before. God, their good and loud! I can’t believe that they played Paris (much to my delight), I felt like I just went out from college. I so love ChicoSci. They also played A Promise, one of my favorites. The crowd started huddling and jumping in front of the stage. Mojofly played next. Lougee is so enchanting on stage. They played the crowds’ favorite, Minamamalas, Tumatakbo, Mata, and this new Conditioner commercial jingle (which was okay because I’m using the same conditioner, hehehe). Updharma Down was the next one to play. I was able to watch their album launching produced by Terno production several months ago. They really played well. They have this distinct sound and style that is both catchy and peculiar. They’re one of the good bands that came out this year. I can’t wait for Urbandub to be on the stage. It’s more than two years that I had a real slam so I resolved to be near the stage and have a real slamming experience, nevermind if I wear a mini and a two-inch sandals. Nothing can stop me. After the sweet and slow anticipation, they came up the stage, loud and whole. To say that I was starstruck was an understatement. My mind went blank. They played several of songs, mostly from their Influence and Embrace album. The crowed was in a trance. They played Sailing, A New Tatoo, Frailty, Alert the Armory, Endless a Silent Whisper, Soul Searching, First of Summer, Safety in Numbers, etc…It was more than I expected. Everybody was ecstatic, high, and loud. If my memory serves me right, they played Alert the Armory first. My friend was already a bit tipsy but happy and well. We’re so lost in the songs. Somehow, Urbandub’s songs convey basic human thoughts and feelings, both transcending and mundane. And I am not being subjective. My feet were aching and my throat strained, but I can still last forever if only they had played more songs. So how can I end this? Maybe a line from their Endless, A Silent Whisper will sum up how good the night was.

“The world it turns with us
Hold me in closer, don’t let go of me
Now we close our eyes and let go to the night
The night we feel alive.”

My Mom was Here!

Rainy, Loud, and Not So Late

I was in dire need of something loud for months that when I heared that there’s this upcoming concert of local bands in tribute to the Apo Hiking Society, I took it as an opportune time. I was able to check a preview of that when Zack, a very good friend, texted me to watch ASAP on TV. The sala in the dorm was on its fullest during that portion. Due to sheer indolence or indecisiveness, I finally bought the ticket only on the day of the concert. Suffice it to say, we just make do of whatever obscure seats left available. I invited Zack to watch and I’m grateful he was interested to check out the concert too.

It was raining when we headed to the venue and Zack was soaking wet because of the rain. We’re supposed to buy a shirt but later decided that a strong aircon and a little projection will do the trick. Lots of people were already on the venue when we arrived but we waited for several minutes for the admission. I was there primarily for Chito, hehehe. Really good bands and my favorite ones were lined up for the night like Spongecola, Sandwich, Sugarfree, Parokya, etc. The Dawn was part of the tribute album and I was kinda disappointed that they did not play. As a perennial disease of local concerts, the show started late. After two geological ages, the show started. Parokya played first. What a good way to start the night. I could not believe that Chito and I were on the same roof I don’t know but the song Pumapatak connotes an entirely different meaning when Chito sung it, hehehe. Spongecola’s version of Nakapagtataka was so Spongecola-ish with Yael’s trademark voice and angst. He was somewhat out of breath after the song but it was a good performance. Sugarfree is one of the crowds’ favorite. They did a different twist of Batang-Bata that it sounds like it was truly their own composition. It sounds so good. Ebe is really one of the prolific musicians we have now. Of course, Orange and Lemons easily captured the hearts of the crowd with their Yakap sa Dilim. Haay. They have this way of making the song sounds like your hugging a very soft pillow in a rainy day. The musical arrangement was so soft to the ears. I was mesmerized by Drip’s version of Kabilugan ng Buwan. The voice and the beat were sexy and enchanting. I am a Barbie fan and I like the song When I Met You a lot but there was something wrong with the microphone when she sung. The vocals on some parts were hardly audible. Sandwich’s version of O ang Babae was okay. Awit ng Barkada of Itchyworms was also good. The showmanship added the flavor. Shamrock’s Paano was also good, it’s just that there was something wrong with the audio system that vibrated an annoying echo on the guitar. They should have checked it earlier. Blue Jeans of Rockstedy was okay. Imago did a different twist of Ewan, maganda. Of course, Kamikazee never fails to bring the house down. Hands down when it comes to showmanship. Doo Bidoo was great way to end the show. I am very partial to loud music. There were still lots of other bands played but could not remember well the line up. Zack’s favorite performer for the night was Sugarfree. We’re talking if Urbandub was considered to be a part of the album because they were visible in some interviews. But so was Martin Nievara. We dropped the topic. Apo made a very short appearance. After Kamikazee, people were still expecting for some bands to play but it was announced by myx VJ’s that the show was over. Zack was so into Heart Evangelista so I restrained my mouth from making comments. We headed home at around 10:30, which was early on my usual standard. But due to warning of eviction from the dorm, I abide by the rules.

A great show, a great company, on a rainy Friday night.